David Dacks and Nick Holmes are two longtime friends who began playing music in high school in North Toronto, and continue to do so as semi-grown-up downtowners, under the name Combustion Lente. Their "slow-burning" music, made primarily with electronic instruments - in fact everything is sampler or CD-generated on stage -is their own weird, funked-up take on dub, that spacy offshoot of reggae that continue to metamorphosize into new permutations, just as Dacks and Holmes musical projects do. (Dave also plays with the Excalceolators and Marzipan, while Nick is sometimes known as Nother.) The duo made memorable contributions to the 1998 CD compilation Trails of Smoke, and recorded a full-length back in '97 (which has yet to see the light of day), as well as couple of live-to-Minidisc recordings, and they plan to do another full-length later this year. To better understand the enigmatic tricksters that are Combustion Lente, wavelength’s Jonny Dovercourt decided to talk to two people who may possess the most insight: their mothers. Unfortunately, Dave’s Mom was unavailable for comment, but nick’s mother, Betty Holmes, was more than happy to participate -
When did you first realize your son was starting to get into music?
Apart from regular piano lessons and school music (recorder, bass), I think the first time I realized Nick was serious about music was when he was in Grade 11 or 12. He got involved in computer-generated music, took a short summer course in composition at the conservatory, and performed in a concert. Sadly, neither his father nor I went Ñ we didn’t realize what he was doing and thought it was just a school event (which we did attend faithfully for the most part). His high school music teacher told me it was amazing and that he got a standing ovation. Then I knew we’d blown it.
When did you first realize that he wasn’t going to stop any time soon?
When Nick went off to study Philosophy at king’s University in Halifax, I thought music would be a nice hobby. When he quit university and stated to work in the business, I thought he might do it for a few years and then go back and finish his degree. Probably about five years ago, I faced the music myself and accepted his choice of a path in life. It was around 1992 that I became aware that he and Dave were following up on their shared interest from high school.
Like most parents, you’ve probably been to one or two of your son’s gigs. Which one was the most memorable?
We heard them play last June in the outdoor space at Ted’s Garage on College. ( I may not have the names exactly right.) They were playing with the Toronto Tabla group, and I thought the drummers were amazing.
What is your definition of the term "dub"?
Dub means to take a track from someone’s recording and add it to a track of your own, usually but not always as background. You can also dub from your own recording; some people have recorded duets this way.
Are you able to keep track of all your son’s various musical projects?
Lord, no! Most of the time I don’t have a clue. The CDs we get as presents help to keep us only a couple of years behind. I also think the music is getting more accessible - nick’s brother says I’m getting more educated.